River Valley Academy News
An RVA Family Update
May 17, 2021 Edition
Graduation is coming, May 20!
Graduation 2020 at Ram's Stadium!
This week's featured graduate is . . .
Taylor came to RVA in 2019 to get additional help with school work. Taylor struggled with motivation during his first year at RVA.
This year however, Taylor came in ready to complete work! He pressed on completing class after class, and graduating early! His advice for fellow students is, "Just get your work done!"
Taylor came to RVA to get additional help with school work. When asked what kept him going, Taylor said, "My mother pushed me to keep going. She kept telling me how important it is to graduate."
When asked how completing this goal makes you feel, Taylor said, "Like I finally got something done!"
To the RVA staff, Taylor says, "Thanks for helping me understand the classwork and for helping me graduate!"
Taylor attended KCTC for Auto Body Collision. He plans to obtain auto mechanic certifications, hoping to one day own his own full-service shop!
Taylor, it has been a pleasure to see you mature and grow into a responsible adult! Thank you for your hard work and consistent effort. We are proud of you! We look forward to one day seeing your shop open up to the public! :) We know you will do well and we wish you all the best moving forward!
Covid -19 Protocol Update
ALL OTHER PROTOCOLS WILL REMAIN THE SAME, including:
1. Unvaccinated students will be required to wear a mask covering nose and mouth.
2. Social distancing will be implemented where possible.
3. Staff and students should regularly wash hands and use sanitizer
4. Buildings will be regularly cleaned and sanitized.
5. Students with any Covid symptoms will be sent home.
6. Students with Covid symptoms should remain home.
Updated protocol:
7. Parents of students who were close contacts will be notified, so they can monitor for Covid related symptoms, but students may attend school.
Original RVA Logo
We can't wait to hear your ideas and feedback!
Attendance (time and effort) counts!
Attendance will be taken in person and for students working from home for medical reasons, via Google Meet. Attendance rates should be above 90%. Schools are required to track attendance and report to the truancy office. Please check in with your student to make sure they attend over 90% of their scheduled classes! Education still needs to happen, and diplomas still have to be earned! Diplomas are a product of time and effort! Let's make it happen!
In an effort to provide a supportive academic environment to help students reach their goals:
- students without a documented medical excuse who aren't present in school, will be marked absent.
- Students with a documented medical reason to work from home will need to keep their screens on for the entire class period. This will allow teachers to monitor student work.
Thank you for putting your best effort into completing classes and graduating!!
How do I know how my student is doing from day to day?
Edgenuity courses offer parent updates. If you would like to be signed up to receive these, please complete this form. When the form has been processed, you will receive directions for signing up for the Parent Portal along with an access code. You will receive daily updates. If you want specific information on how your student is doing in Edgenuity, ask your student for their login information. If you log in as the student, you can see a more detailed report.
Good questions to ask your student include:
1. Are you attending all class sessions, whether school is in person or remote?
2. Are you completing at least one assignment in each class session?
3. About how far in each course are you?
4. What are you doing well?
5. What can you do better?
Parents and schools are partners in educating students!
Groups are happening!
If you feel your student would benefit from this support, please contact the office! You can find out more about Arbor Circle and their counseling services here.
Summer Camp Opportunities
Summer camps are BACK! We’ve assembled a comprehensive list of academic camps to help your student explore an area of interest, or try a have fun learning about a new one. Camps serving PreK – 12th grade in a wide variety of subject areas is available. Check out our list of local summer programs here!
Monthly Career Readiness Resource
Eight Resume Mistakes That Can Keep You From Getting Hired
https://www.aarp.org/work/job-search/info-2020/resume-mistakes-to-avoid.html
Career Chats
Virtual
Career Chats are designed to provide 7-12 grade students a virtual opportunity to meet real professionals employed in real jobs. This series of 30-40 minute sessions will highlight professions from a variety of career pathways, giving students the opportunity to learn more about a career of interest, or to explore new options. Click here for the full line-up and to register!
Upcoming Sessions:
Thursday, May 13, 2021: 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Bryan Bickford - Director of Advertising and Writing
Grand Valley State University
Tuesday, May 18, 2021: 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Sean Wright - VP of Corporate Sales
Grand Rapids Griffins
Wednesday, May 19, 2021: 10-10:30 AM
**En Español**
Leyla Flores Morales - Asistente Social
Spectrum Health
Thursday, May 20, 2021: 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Chris McKeller - Owner
Love's Ice Cream
How are you doing? People care and want to help!
RVA has an amazing staff, social worker, and mental health liaison who can listen and connect you to resources!
Ele's Place is a community based organization with the mission to create awareness of and support for grieving children and their families. Please find a very helpful guide for parents - how to support teens, as well as a handout titled, How to Help Yourself: For Teens below.
Area Resources
North Kent CONNECT: (adjusted hours due to COVID-19 precautions)
Mondays and Wednesday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Community Calendar of Services
Mobile Food Pantries: https://www.feedwm.org/findfood/
Assistance with housing, food, utilities:
contact 211 by phone or text (800-877-1107), text your zip code to 898211
Youth in need of shelter: The Bridge 616-451-3001 or 877-275-7792
RVA/RPS Calendar Highlights
May 19: Group 3rd hour
May 20: RVA Graduation 2021!
June 4: Last day of school!
Please reach out with any questions you have or if there is anything you need!
Email: jthompson@rockfordschools.org
Website: http://www.rockfordschools.org
Location: 350 North Main Street, Rockford, MI, USA
Phone: 616-863-6324
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rivervalleyacademy
Twitter: @academy_river